British seaside town approves ban on new holiday homes

London

RESIDENTS of an English seaside town regularly swamped by tourists in the summer have voted for a ban on new holiday homes, in a referendum that could set a precedent for similar picturesque spots.

People in St Ives in Cornwall, known for its sandy beaches and fishermen's cottages, have complained about a surge in construction of new holiday homes and a shortage of affordable housing. The ban on new housing other than "principal homes" was approved by 83.2 per cent in Thursday's vote, one of a series of local and regional elections in Britain, final results showed on Friday. "The aim is to provide housing to meet a local need," councillor Rita Lait told St Ives Community TV ahead of the vote on the "Neighbourhood Development Plan". The text of the plan said that "while tourism is currently the prime economic driver in the St Ives area, it is placing pressure on local residents and communities". "A balance needs to be struck," read the document. AFP